London Marathon on alert as Just Stop Oil protestors target more sport events

18 April 2023 , 14:53

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Just Stop Oil protesters interrupted the World Snooker Championship on Monday (Image: PA)

The London Marathon has said it is "working closely" with police in a bid to prevent the race being disrupted after environmental activist group Just Stop Oil vowed to "continue to disrupt" sporting events.

It comes after two Just Stop Oil protesters were arrested for disrupting the World Snooker Championship, successfully dumping orange powder on one of the tables. And the group have vowed to continue targeting sporting events, with the Marathon taking place this Sunday.

"There will be ongoing disruption until the Government meets our demand to end new oil and gas," the group told the Telegraph. "We will continue to disrupt sports and cultural events until the institutions join us in civil resistance against our genocidal government's plans to licence new oil and gas.

"We expect that there will be lots of Just Stop Oil supporters at the London Marathon. If the polls are right then about 60 percent of the London Marathon runners support our demand to stop new oil and gas."

Another group of environmental activists, Extinction Rebellion, have organised a protest called 'The Big One' which will take place in Parliament Square between Friday April 21 and Monday April 24.

Just Stop Oil activists who were glued to Da Vinci painting fined just £175 each

However, the London Marathon's race director Hugh Brasher said they have received assurances from Extinction Rebellion that they "do not wish to disrupt" the marathon.

London Marathon participants crossing Tower Bridge (PA)

"We're aware of the Extinction Rebellion protest that is scheduled to take place in Parliament Square from Friday April 21 through to Monday April 24 and have been in contact with them for some months," Brasher said.

"The Extinction Rebellion organisers have assured us that they do not wish to disrupt the TCS London Marathon.

"As Parliament Square and the immediate surrounding area will be very busy, we advise spectators to watch the London Marathon from other locations and avoid the Parliament Square area on the day. As always, we are working closely with the Metropolitan Police and other stakeholders on the safety and security of the event."

Matthew Cooper